International Day of Monuments and Sites – April 18, 2026 |18 April 2026
Minister Bernstein
Safeguarding Seychelles’ living heritage: A national call to action
“Our heritage is far more than a legacy, it is a sacred national trust. It carries the soul of our people, reflects the depth of our history, and anchors the identity we proudly share. What we protect today will shape what future generations are able to know, understand, and inherit with pride.
“As we mark the International Day of Monuments and Sites on April 18, 2026, we reaffirm our unwavering commitment to the protection of our shared heritage. This year’s theme, ‘Emergency Response for Living Heritage in Contexts of Conflicts and Disasters’, speaks with urgency and relevance. Heritage is not static, it is living, evolving, and increasingly vulnerable. It must be safeguarded not only in times of stability, but especially in moments of crisis and uncertainty.
“For Seychelles, as a small island developing state, these vulnerabilities are real and intensifying. Climate change, coastal erosion, flooding, environmental degradation, and neglect present immediate threats to our heritage. Resilience is not an abstract ideal; it is a national imperative. When heritage is lost, a nation loses more than physical structures; it loses memory, identity, and continuity.
“This call to action is powerfully reflected in Venn’s Town, a site of profound human significance that stands as a testament to the resilience of liberated African children whose strength helped shape the very fabric of Seychellois society. The ongoing efforts to advance Venn’s Town towards World Heritage inscription reflect a clear national commitment: to honour that legacy and affirm its rightful place within the global heritage community.
“The work led by the Seychelles National Heritage Resource Council, through documentation, conservation, and advocacy, is laying strong foundations for the long-term protection of our heritage. This work must continue to be reinforced through sustained investment, institutional support, and a unified national commitment.
“Let this day serve as a clear and collective call to action. The responsibility to protect our heritage belongs to every one of us; government, communities, educators, and our youth. Let us draw strength from the resilience of those who came before us, and commit ourselves, firmly and collectively, to ensuring that the heritage of Seychelles is preserved with the seriousness, urgency, and dignity it truly deserves.
“I thank you, and I call on all to remain committed to safeguarding our national heritage for present and future generations.”
Amanda Bernstein
Minister for Tourism & Culture